Several new names enter the NHL rumour mill as the regular season gets underway.
- The Leafs continue to shop Timothy Liljegren, who currently finds himself well outside of the team's top six blueline group. Liljegren rumours swirled around the NHL draft and many of those conversations have continued despite the team handing their RFA asset a two year deal at $3 million per. The plan appears to be to move on from the enigmatic and expensive blueliner, who could still unlock some untapped upside in a different environment.
- Still very early in the game, but the Kirill Kaprizov rumour mill has begun to heat up ever so slightly. Quiet mutterings suggest Kaprizov will need some convincing to remain with the team beyond his current contract due to expire in 2026. Reports suggest the Blackhawks could be among the teams that angle for Kaprizov if he made it to free agency. The Wild have every intention of making him their best pitch in the summer of 2025 when he can be extended, but it won't be an easy deal to strike.
- With a Carter Verhaeghe extension out of the way, the Panthers can turn their attention to extending gritty two-way centreman Sam Bennett. But rumblings suggest a growing list of teams are hoping and waiting to see if Bennett becomes available in free agency (of course they'd trade for him, but that isn't overly likely). The Leafs, Golden Knights and Lightning are among the teams rumoured to be considering it. It's odd that a list of teams interested in a player under contract is out there for a player who isn't a free agent until July 2025, which makes me wonder if this alleged leak is an agent (or GM?) trying to apply some heat in negotiations.
- The Kraken intend on making a push for the playoffs this season, but rumours have begun to swirl around veteran winger Brandon Tanev. The pending UFA veteran would be highly sought after by teams looking for some character in the bottom six. Likely a deadline deal, if it's going to happen.
- Another name to keep an eye on among the crop of Flames potentially available is Blake Coleman, who could be a top target for teams that remember his role in Lightning playoff successes past. He will be far from alone in the NHL rumour mill as far as Calgary is concerned.
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